Rounds Statement on Senate Confirmation of Barbara Barrett to be Secretary of the Air Force

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today made the following statement on the Senate’s confirmation of Ambassador Barbara Barrett to be Secretary of the Air Force:

“I congratulate Ambassador Barrett on her confirmation. I have had the opportunity to visit with her prior to her confirmation vote, and we had productive discussions on the B-21 Raider and F-35A Lightning II. I appreciate her support for Ellsworth Air Force Base, Joe Foss Field and Next-Generation Air Dominance. She is an excellent choice for the Air Force and for our nation. I look forward to working with her to make sure our Air Force remains the best in the world.”

Ambassador Barrett is a former deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. She is also a pilot and has undergone astronaut training to be certified for space flight. In the George W. Bush administration, she served as Ambassador to the Republic of Finland. The Senate Armed Services Committee advanced her nomination to be Secretary of the Air Force to the full Senate on Sept. 12, 2019.

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